Study Law
§ 1. (1) This part of the Statutes applies to all degree programmes and non-degree programmes at the University of Vienna.
(2) Those responsibilities assumed by the director of studies for degree programmes according to the stipulations of this part of the Statutes, are, for continuing education and training programmes, assumed by the these programmes’ academic heads appointed by the Rectorate.
Development of Degree Programmes and Curricula
Degree programmes according to the 2002 Universities Act
§ 2. (1) The curricula for bachelor’s and master’s programmes as well as university continuing education and training programmes are divided into modules. A module is a compilation of teaching and learning content relating to meaningful thematic and didactic units of study. The designations and content-related descriptions (learning outcomes) of the individual modules as well as the amount of ECTS credits to be obtained within each module and the type of assessment are specified in the relevant curriculum. These provisions also apply to extension curricula which are a special form of a supplementary range of studies.
(2) The curriculum specifies examinations according to this part of the Statutes to determine if the learning outcomes have been achieved and to prove the academic success. If, pursuant to para. 1, a programme is divided into modules, all examinations are allocated to modules.
(3) In a module, the curriculum specifies whether the achievement of the learning outcomes may be verified either by passing all specified course examinations and courses with continuous assessment or by passing a module examination, a subject examination or a public defence.
(4) The curriculum may specify that the achievement of a module’s learning outcomes is verified by way of a written or an oral module examination and a course with continuous assessment or several courses with continuous assessment (combined module examination). The curriculum may specify the order of completion. The examinations are, based on the provisions set out in this part of the Statutes, administered and assessed independently from each other.
(5) The curriculum may specify that taking a module examination is subject to the presentation of an independent written achievement which has to be assessed by the examiner within the framework of the module examination. A written achievement cannot be re-used when taking other examinations. Detailed provisions, especially the requirements for the written achievement and the workload, are specified in the curriculum and announced to the students prior to the examination in due time.
(6) The curriculum may specify that the entire completion of a module is the prerequisite for the completion of other modules. In addition, the curriculum may specify that, within a module, the completion of courses or examinations is a prerequisite for the completion of other courses and examinations of this module. The curriculum may specify that appropriate proof of prior knowledge has to be provided for the participation in modules and for the registration for courses which require special prior knowledge, according to the form to be specified in the curriculum (section 54, para. 7 of the 2002 Universities Act) (Note: Due to an amendment to the 2002 Universities Act, this provision is now found in section 58, para. 7 of the Universities Act). Any other provisions regarding the interdependence of courses and examinations in the curriculum are not permitted. These conditions also apply to students registering for the attendance of individual courses or an individual degree programme.
(7) Students enrolled in bachelor’s or diploma programmes, who have successfully completed the introductory and orientation period pursuant to section 66 of the 2002 Universities Act, are entitled to complete courses and take examinations from other degree programmes within the framework of elective modules and alternative extensions, subject to the curriculum for the other degree programme (para. 6) and the available places. The curriculum may specify courses and examinations that students who are not admitted to this degree programme are allowed to complete not subject to successful completion of this curriculum’s introductory and orientation period since it is not an academic subject-related prerequisite as defined in section 54, para. 7 of the 2002 Universities Act (Note: Due to an amendment to the 2002 Universities Act, this provision is now found in section 58, para. 7 of the Universities Act).
(8) For master’s programmes, diploma programmes and doctoral programmes, an academic thesis has to be completed according to the rules of this part of the Statutes. Its positive assessment is the prerequisite for the registration for the final examination. The curriculum has to specify a public defence for master’s programmes and doctoral programmes pursuant to section 9 of this part of the Statutes.
(8a) For combined master’s and doctoral programmes, a master’s thesis has to be completed to obtain a master’s degree according to the rules of this part of the Statutes and a doctoral thesis has to be completed to obtain a doctoral degree according to the rules of this part of the Statutes. Their positive assessment is the prerequisite for the registration for the final examination. The Curriculum of the combined master’s and doctoral programme has to specify a public defence both for obtaining the master's degree and for obtaining the doctoral degree pursuant to section 9 of this part of the Statutes.
(9) Extension curricula serve the study of subjects which are not a core part of the bachelor’s programme. Curricula for bachelor’s programmes may specify the completion of extension curricula comprising up to 60 ECTS credits. Extension curricula are run for a period of six semesters and they may be extended for usually six semesters. If an extension curriculum is not extended, a period of one semester or two semesters has to be set for phasing out the extension curriculum. Limiting the number of participants in extension curricula is permissible in justified cases subject to the condition that the duration of study is not prolonged due to the entire range of extension curricula. Extension curricula may specify the successful completion of another extension curriculum as a prerequisite. Students have the right to complete alternative extensions comprising 15 ECTS credits in lieu of an extension curriculum comprising 15 ECTS credits. The Senate introduces the necessary provisions by way of regulation for this purpose.
(10) For a teacher education programme which has been completed in its entirety or for which there is a valid admission, students can add a third teaching subject that may be completed in the form of a bachelor’s complementary degree programme and a master’s complementary degree programme according to the relevant study regulations in the curricula for all teaching subjects available at the University of Vienna. Complementary degree programmes are degree programmes. For the complementary degree programme of the bachelor’s programme, the regulations of the curriculum regarding the introductory and orientation period (including recognition options) have to be considered. The enrolment in the master’s complementary degree programme requires the completion of the relevant teaching subject on the bachelor’s level and the bachelor’s degree or diploma degree in teacher education. For the master’s complementary degree programme, no final academic thesis has to be written. The completion of all study achievements of the relevant complementary degree programme is certified by the University by way of a confirmation issued by the Studienpräses after the relevant bachelor’s programme or master’s programme for teacher education has been successfully completed. No academic degree is conferred for complementary degree programmes. Further specifications are made in the curricula for teacher education programmes.
Degree programmes according to the University Studies Act
§ 3. (1) Degree programmes and continuing education and training programmes according to the University Studies Act (Universitäts-Studiengesetz) are divided into subjects whose designations and content-related descriptions are specified in curricula.
(2) Compulsory subjects are a degree programme’s indispensable subjects in which examinations have to be taken.
(3) Elective subjects are subjects offered to students within the framework of their curricula, from which they can select according to the specifications in the curricula, and in which examinations have to be taken.
Foreign languages
§ 4. (1) The curriculum may specify that all or individual modules, courses and examinations are held in a foreign language and academic theses are written in a foreign language. If the curriculum does not contain such a provision, the exclusive or predominant use of a foreign language is permitted in courses if alternative courses having the same examination purpose are offered or with the consent from all students attending the first course unit.
(2) The lecturer is additionally entitled to hold a course and its examinations in a foreign language if this foreign language is the subject of the degree programme, the module or the extension curriculum. The curriculum has to specify the required level of language proficiency for the relevant degree programme, extension curriculum or module.
Courses
§ 5. (1) Courses support students in achieving learning outcomes. The extent of a course is measured in hours per week per semester, the study achievement is measured in ECTS credits. One hour per week per semester corresponds to the number of teaching units measured in weeks of teaching in a semester. One teaching unit lasts for 45 minutes.
(2) A course delivered in block-mode is deemed to be a course which is not held over the course of an entire semester but has a corresponding higher number of hours per week. Courses delivered in block-mode may also be held in periods when there are no classes. Holding a block-mode course is permissible if it is approved by the director of studies at the lecturer’s request. The approval of a block-mode course is permissible if there are important reasons and the required rooms are available. For the purpose of decreasing the number of students on the waiting list or any other necessities related to the organisation of studies, the course may be ordered to be held as block-mode course after consultation with the teacher, also without any request. For the period when there are no classes, this order may only be given if the number of parallel courses offered during the semester is not sufficient.
Examinations
Examinations in the form of a single examination
General provisions for examinations in the form of a single examination
§ 6. (1) Module examinations and subject examinations, course examinations, public defences and comprehensive examinations are examinations which are held in the form of a single examination. Courses which lead to these examinations do not have an attendance requirement.
(2) The examination dates or the examination periods are set by the director of studies. The director of studies is entitled to delegate this responsibility to the examiners.
(3) Setting examination dates at the beginning and at the end of a period when there are no classes is permissible. When setting the dates, it has to be considered, if applicable, that students do not suffer a disadvantage thereof. With the students’ consent, examinations may also be held in the remaining period when there are no classes.
(4) Students have to register for or deregister from examinations pursuant to para. 1 within the specified periods. The director of studies announces the regulations regarding the registration procedure, including the periods for registration and deregistration and decides on the participation in examinations after examining the fulfilment of the requirements specified in the curriculum. Duly registered students are entitled to the administration of the examination on the examination date.
(5) Students who failed to appear at an examination pursuant to para. 1 and have not deregistered from the examination in due time or cannot credibly show any legitimate reason for their failure to deregister, are not assessed. The director of studies has to exclude them from the registration for the subsequent examination date set for the same examination.
(6) Students who terminate an examination pursuant to para. 1 for an important reason are not assessed. The Studienpräses makes the decision on the applicability of an important reason at the student’s request if the applicability of an important reason has not been affirmed immediately due to obviousness by the examiner or the chair of the examination committee. The request has to be made immediately, but no later than fourteen days after the termination.
Module examinations and subject examinations
§ 7. (1) A module examination is a written or oral examination on the learning outcomes of a module specified in the curriculum in the form of a single examination. A subject examination is an examination on the material of a subject defined in a curriculum according to the University Studies Act in the form of a single examination.
(2) The director of studies has to appoint persons having an authorisation to teach and, if required, also other eligible persons to examiners. The collaboration of several examiners during preparation and assessment is permissible. The director of studies nominates an examiner who is responsible for the implementation of the examination. The collaboration of examiners has to be documented corresponding to their effort.
(3) For subject examinations and module examinations, three examination dates (at the beginning, in the middle and the end of) every semester are set. For module examinations of the introductory and orientation period, two examination dates per semester are offered in any case (section 66, para. 1a of the 2002 Universities Act) (Note: Due to an amendment to the 2002 Universities Act, this provision is now found in section 66, para. 2 of the Universities Act).
(4) The obligation to announce information about examinations conforms with the statutory provisions (section 76 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended). In addition to the statutory information to be provided, students also have to be informed about the permitted materials for the examination.
Course examinations
§ 8. (1) A course examination serves the purpose of examining the knowledge and skills acquired in a course without continuous assessment.
(2) Examination dates are set for the semester in which the course is held after its completion as well as at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the next semester of the course.
(3) The obligation to announce examination dates and information about courses and examinations conforms with the statutory provisions (section 76 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended). In addition to the statutory information to be provided, students also have to be informed about the permitted materials for the examination.
Public defence and comprehensive examination
§ 9. (1) The public defence is the last examination prior to graduating from a master’s programme or doctoral programme and consists of a public defence of the academic thesis and an examination by an examination committee in the form of a single examination. In the master’s programme, this examination consists of an examination on the field surrounding the master’s thesis and additional subjects specified in the curriculum. In the doctoral programme, it consists of an examination on the academic discipline of the doctoral thesis and its related subjects. The public defence is open to the public.
(2) A comprehensive examination is an examination completing a diploma programme or master’s programme in the form of a single examination by an examination committee. Detailed provisions are specified in the curriculum.
(3) Students who meet the requirements for graduation, with exception of the public defence or comprehensive examination, register with the director of studies. The director of studies appoints an examination committee consisting of at least three persons who are qualified in the respective field, in accordance with section 14 and section 15 after examining the requirements specified in the curriculum. The director of studies chairs the committee either himself/herself or appoints an examiner to chair the examination committee.
(4) In the course of the registration for the examination, the area covered in the examination in accordance with the curriculum is defined by the examiners. It is an oral examination. Any claimed economic or legal interests particularly worthy of protection relating to the academic thesis (cf. section 86 of the Universities Act) have to be taken into account in the context of the examination.
(5) The consultation on the assessment is a non-public meeting of the examination committee. An assessment is made for the defence of the academic thesis, including the examination on the academic discipline of the thesis by the examination committee. When additional examination subjects are to be addressed as part of the public defence or when the comprehensive examination consists of several subjects, the examination committee assesses each examination subject individually. The decisions of the examination committee are taken by a majority of votes. If the examination committee cannot reach a majority decision on the assessment, the arithmetic mean is calculated from the assessments proposed by the members. If the result is a value whose decimal place is less than or equal to 5, it has to be rounded down to the better grade.
(6) Immediately after the successful completion of the public defence or the comprehensive examination, the chairperson of the examination committee, at the student’s request, issues a confirmation that is intended to be submitted within the framework of an admission procedure for further studies at domestic and foreign educational institutions or at authorities. It certifies the successful completion of the last examination required for graduation. This confirmation is valid for a period of six weeks as of the issuing date.
Courses with continuous assessment
§ 10. (1) A course with continuous assessment constitutes an examination which covers the entire duration of the course and includes at least two oral or written partial achievements to be completed.
(2) A rule for the scope of the attendance requirement may be defined by the lecturers of the course with continuous assessment as a minimum requirement for the students to be positively assessed. If students credibly show that they are not able to participate for an important reason, the lecturer may waive the attendance requirement for individual course dates.
(3) The individual partial achievements have to be considered for the assessment by the lecturers in an appropriate, fair and comprehensible manner. The obligation to announce information about courses conforms with the statutory provisions (section 76 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended). In addition to the statutory information to be provided, students also have to be informed about the permitted materials for each partial achievement.
(4) The lecturer of the course with continuous assessment is entitled to allow the submission of a written contribution to courses held in the winter semester until the following 30 April, and to courses held in the summer semester until the following 30 September. For block-mode courses which are exclusively held in a period when there are no classes, this period may not exceed three months, starting with the last course unit.
(5) The binding registration for courses with continuous assessment is implemented as a procedure defined by the director of studies in agreement with the Rectorate. This procedure ensures the appropriate distribution of places in courses and the control of the compliance with the requirements for the registration for the courses. This has to be announced in the University Gazette in due time. The director of studies announces the regulations for the registration procedure, including the registration and deregistration periods before the beginning of the semester and decides on the allocation of places in the course after examining the fulfilment of the conditions in the curriculum. The director of studies is entitled to appropriately increase the number of participants as specified in the curriculum for courses with continuous assessment, taking into account the teachers’ didactic concepts and the available rooms and safety provisions after hearing the teacher, if students might be delayed in their study time and if the available teaching budget is not sufficient to offer additional parallel courses.
(6) Registered students who did not appear at the first course unit without stating important reasons, are deregistered from the course by the lecturer. The vacant places are allocated in accordance with the procedure pursuant to para. 5. All students who received a place in the course are assessed if they have not deregistered from the course in due time (para. 5) or if they have not credibly shown an important reason for their failure to deregister after the cause for this reason does no longer apply. Students who credibly show an important reason for the withdrawal from a course with continuous assessment are not assessed. If the lecturer does not affirm an important reason immediately due to obviousness, the Studienpräses, at the student’s request, decides on the applicability of an important reason by way of official notice. The request has to be made immediately, but no later than fourteen days after the withdrawal.
(7) A negatively assessed course with continuous assessment has to be retaken by completing a course with continuous assessment that serves the same examination purpose once again. An assessment by an examination committee is not permissible.
Administration of examinations
§ 11. If a request for an alternative mode of assessment (section 59, para. 1, sub-para. 12 of the 2002 Universities Act) made by a student who can prove that he/she has a long-lasting disability is not immediately granted by the director of studies, the Studienpräses has to decide, by way of official notice, whether the requirements for the mentioned provision are met, after hearing the student and the examiner before the examination. The director of studies prompts the adequately modified administration of the examination. These requests have to be immediately made after the occurrence of the disability, but no later than the time of registration for the examination. Any subsequent waiving of the use of an alternative mode of assessment by the student is not permissible. The prompted modification of the examination is subsequently applied to all similar examinations taken by the student in the relevant degree programme for the duration of the disability.
§ 12. (1) The examiner has to ask for a proof of the student’s identity in an appropriate manner. Students are obliged to prove their identity with a photo identity card. Students who are not duly registered for an examination are not allowed to participate in an examination.
(2) For written examinations, students are assigned appropriate workplaces and rooms that ensure a proper, unimpaired and effective administration of the examination. The director of studies has to provide for a competent examination invigilator.
(3) Oral examinations are open to the public. The examiner or the chairperson of an examination committee is, if applicable, entitled to limit the access to the examination to a number of persons according to the spatial conditions. Students are entitled to take oral examinations in the presence of a confidant.
(3a) For examinations held by electronic means of communication, the statutory provisions (in particular sections 76a and 79 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended) and the provisions of this part of the Statutes (in particular sections 13e and 13f) apply.
(4) During the examination, students are given the opportunity to demonstrate the level of knowledge and skills acquired and the status of the learning outcomes achieved. The examiner administers the examination in a fair manner and refrains from anything that may discredit students or destroy their personal dignity. The examiner or the chairperson of the examination committee is obliged to keep an examination record pursuant to section 79 of the 2002 Universities Act.
(5) The content, scope and number of questions and issues as well as the duration of the examination have to consider the content and scope of the examination topics according to the provisions of the curriculum.
(6) Students using unauthorised aids during examinations are not assessed. This examination attempt is separately documented in the transcript of records and counts towards the admissible number of examination attempts. Prior to the entry of this information, the director of studies documents the facts (in particular in the form of a file note or seizure of evidence). Students may request the deletion of the examination attempt in the transcript of records from the Studienpräses within 14 days of entry. Appeals against the official notice rejecting the deletion request to the Federal Administrative Court are admissible (article 130, para. 1 of the Federal Constitutional Law).
(7) The director of studies is entitled, in agreement with the Rectorate and the Studienpräses, to specify the necessary rules for examinations of the area for which he/she is competent, beyond the law or the provisions laid down in these Statutes. The studies conference is to be heard.
Retaking examinations
§ 13. (1) The permitted number of examination attempts conforms with the statutory provisions (section 77 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended).
(2) not applicable
(3) not applicable
(4) The following applies to examination attempts that have to be held before an examination committee on the basis of the statutory provisions (section 77, para. 3 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended): The director of studies appoints an examination committee consisting of at least three persons who are qualified in the respective field, in accordance with section 14 and section 15. The director of studies chairs the committee either himself/herself or appoints an examiner to chair the examination committee. The consultation on the assessment of the examination before an examination committee is a non-public meeting of the examination committee. The decisions of the examination committee are taken by a majority of votes. If the examination committee cannot reach a majority decision on the assessment of a subject, the arithmetic mean is calculated from the assessments proposed by the members. If the result is a value whose decimal place is less than or equal to 5, it has to be rounded down to the better grade.
(5) In case the curriculum specifies a relevant provision, the replacement of a negatively assessed course examination or course with continuous assessment with another examination serving the same examination purpose is possible any time.
(6) For retaking positively assessed examinations, section 77, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act applies. The positively assessed examination becomes void when the examination is retaken. The completion of several course examinations or courses with continuous assessment serving the same examination purpose is only permitted in accordance with the available remaining places with the consent of the director of studies. Students may informally replace positively assessed course examinations or courses with continuous assessment with course examinations or courses with continuous assessment which are better assessed and serve the same examination purpose until the completion of the module, of the stage of the degree programme or of the degree programme to which the course examination or course with continuous assessment is allocated. The replaced course examinations or courses with continuous assessment, as well as any additionally completed courses, are listed in the transcript of records. However, they do not influence the overall assessment.
Special provisions for digital oral exams
§ 13e. (1) In addition to the provisions mentioned above, the following regulations apply:
1. Digital oral exams take place by means of a video conferencing tool.
2. If a student wishes to have a person of trust present, this person has to either connect to the exam or, if physically present in the same room, sit behind the candidate in the field of view of the camera.
3. In individual cases, especially in suspicious cases, the examiner can request students to pan their camera across the room subject to the best possible adherence to the right to privacy, to ensure that no further person outside of the camera’s view or unauthorised aids are present in the room.
4. Students must prove their identity with a photo identity card.
5. During an examination before an examination committee all examiners must be connected. The examiners decide on the assessment in a non-public digital meeting without the student being connected.
6. If there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the student uses unauthorised aids, the examiner discontinues the exam. The provisions on the use of unauthorised aids in the Statutes apply.
(2) The examiners must keep an examination record according to the specifications laid down by the Studienpräses, which is forwarded electronically to the student upon request.
(3) The regulations must also be observed for partial achievements that are completed orally by digital means as part of a course with continuous assessment. Instead of live presentations, the teachers can also permit students to present their recorded presentations and hold a subsequent live discussion.
Special provisions for digital written exams
§ 13f. (1) In addition to the provisions mentioned above, the following regulations apply:
1. Digital written exams are held exclusively via the central electronic platform for holding digital written examinations as defined by the Rectorate. Students log in with their u:account and thus confirm their identity. Any other method of identification is not intended.
2. The StudiesServiceCenter is notified in due time of exams for which more than 100 participants are expected before announcing the modes of assessment to be able to make technical and/or administrative arrangements for a smooth implementation. If the technical capacities are insufficient, the exact date can be scheduled in a suitable time slot prior to the beginning of the registration period. A certain exam period cannot be claimed.
3. For preparing and implementing written exams, cover sheets according to the specifications laid down by the Studienpräses must be used. In any case, it must be ensured that the students are provided with the information mentioned in para. 2 before the beginning of the exam (for example, by placing the relevant text passages on top in the digital exam environment).
4. In case of digital written exams, at least one competent person is announced who is available for questions about the exam and in the event of (technical) problems immediately before, during and after the exam.
5. If students experience any technical issues, they have to inform the examiners or invigilators immediately. If students interrupt the exam without stating a legitimate reason or if they do not submit it within the specified time period, they fail the exam (grade: “insufficient”).
6. If an exam before an examination committee takes place by digital means, all committee members assess the performance.
(2) For the purposes of quality assurance, to prevent the use of unauthorised aids and to ensure that students complete achievements independently, the University of Vienna uses, within four weeks after the submission of the exam, in particular the following instruments:
1. Programmes to detect plagiarism or text similarities;
2. Requesting students to answer questions about the exam topics orally to check the plausibility of answers after the exam.
(3) Students have an obligation to cooperate in the application of these instruments according to para. 2. The instruments can be applied at random and without a concrete suspicion. The instruments serve to check the plausibility and are not used for the numerical assessment (grading). If the instrument according to para. 2, sub-para. 2 is used, the examiners prepare a record and enclose it to the examination record.
(4) If students use unauthorised aids and/or do not complete the exam independently, if students make checking for text similarities or requests to answer questions orally after the exam impossible, or if the oral answers after the exam show that the performance was not delivered by the student, the exam is not assessed. This is documented in the transcript of records. The examination attempt counts towards the admissible number of examination attempts. The examiner documents the incident clearly and in a transparent way. Students can appeal against this decision according to section 12, para. 6.
(5) The examiners must keep an examination record according to the specifications laid down by the Studienpräses, which is forwarded electronically to the student upon request. Students have to get the opportunity to view examination documents by digital means. If examiners do not agree that multiple-choice questions including the related answer options are copied, students are given the opportunity to view assessment documents on site.
(6) The regulations also apply to written partial achievements that are completed by digital means as part of courses with continuous assessment.
Courses, exams and services on site
§ 13g. (1) In case of extraordinary circumstances (section 13i, para. 1), regulations regarding hygiene and safety applicable on the premises of the University as well as in the context of exams and courses are enacted by the Rectorate. These encompass in particular regulations regarding
1. registration for and de-registration from courses and exams as well as attendance documentation during on-site courses/exams;
2. access to university buildings and rooms;
3. the use of seats;
4. the use of face masks covering mouth and nose;
5. safety distance;
6. evidence of a low epidemiological risk as well as
7. hygiene including sanitising hands and work areas.
(2) The provisions are announced to the students and teachers in an appropriate manner and must be observed. Any violation of the regulations concerning the maintenance of order are sanctioned according to the house rules. Section 20a (Threat) may be applied, if necessary.
Validation of learning outcomes
§ 13h. (1) The following standards are the criteria used in the process of validating learning outcomes of qualifications according to section 78, para. 3 of the 2002 Universities Act:
1. the current state of research and its teaching;
2. the objectives of the relevant modules and/or courses as specified in the relevant curriculum.
(2) The applicant has to provide evidence of the qualifications pursuant to section 78, para. 3 of the 2002 Universities Act by presenting suitable documentation (section 78, para. 4, sub-para. 3 of the 2002 Universities Act). If the learning outcomes and competences applied for cannot be determined based on the documents provided, the Studienpräses may arrange for an assessment (e.g. validation talk, random sampling test, work samples) by competent employees of the academic university staff.
Deviating digital modes for special groups of students
§ 13i. (1) In case of force majeure (such as natural disasters, pandemics) or in case of comparable severe restrictions in emergency situations (such as war or war-like situations), the Rectorate may enact deviating regulations for students who are directly affected by the relevant situation and who are able to complete a partial achievement as part of a course with continuous assessment online or take an exam in a digital format, but who are unable to participate on site. The regulations must specify the special circumstances and stipulate the members of the group of students affected. The Studienpräses, the chairperson of the Senate as well as the representative of the Union of Students at the University of Vienna must be consulted before the regulation is adopted. The regulation must be effective for no more than two years. Extensions of the regulation for no more than two further years at a time are permissible after consulting the relevant bodies again and provided that the prerequisites still apply.
(2) The students subject to the regulation immediately notify the examiners/lecturers of the impossibility of taking a certain exam or completing a partial achievement on site, but no later than seven days before the exam date/date of the completion of the partial achievement. If the reason for non-attendance was unforeseeable, this notification can be made no later than three days before the exam date/date of the completion of the partial achievement. According to section 6, para. 5, students are allowed to credibly show a legitimate reason for their failure to deregister in due time if the reason for non-attendance was unforeseeable. Students have to credibly demonstrate that they meet the requirements according to para. 1 (member of the group specified in the regulation, impossibility to participate on site). If examiners/lecturers or the director of studies have doubts, they can request students to provide proof.
(3) If possible, the examiners/lecturers adapt the course of action of the exam/partial achievement to a deviating digital alternative mode or to a suitable substitute achievement in these individual cases. The achievement of the learning outcomes has to be assessed adequately to ensure that the quality can be maintained. Suitable adaptations are in particular, take-home exams, live connections to the course, or digital oral exams instead of written exams on site. The adapted exam/adapted partial achievement takes place closely to the original date of the completion of the partial achievement/exam date. Students who do not meet the requirements according to para. 1 are not entitled to take a course or complete a partial achievement in this adapted mode.
(4) If the lecturer/examiner in agreement with the director of studies finds that an adaptation to a deviating digital mode according to para. 3 is not possible and the exam/partial achievement thus must be held on site, the students are entitled to de-register from the exam/course with continuous assessment in accordance with para. 1.
Diploma and Master’s Theses
§ 14. (1) Students have to write an academic thesis in the course of their master’s programmes or diploma programmes (diploma thesis, master’s thesis) (section 81 of the 2002 Universities Act). The relevant curriculum specifies the provisions for the topic of the master’s thesis or diploma thesis. The definition and approval of the topic have to ensure that a student is able to work on this topic within the statutory period of six months of full-time study. Students enrolled in a diploma programme or master’s programme can either propose a provisional topic of their diploma thesis or master’s thesis pursuant to this part of the present Statutes or can choose a topic from several proposals (section 59, para. 1, sub-para. 5 of the 2002 Universities Act). Students who intend to write their thesis in a foreign language (section 59, para. 1, sub-para. 7 of the 2002 Universities Act) have to obtain consent from their supervisor when selecting a topic and to adhere to the requirements specified in the relevant curriculum.
(2) University professors, habilitated staff members, associated professors as well as assistant professors according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff of the University of Vienna are generally entitled to, and in accordance with their other university responsibilities are also obliged to supervise and assess diploma theses and master’s theses. Students are entitled to request the supervision of their diploma thesis or master’s thesis of these university employees. Students have to decide on the topic of their thesis in agreement with this supervisor.
(3) A student who has selected a supervisor pursuant to para. 2 has to inform the Studienpräses about the supervisor’s name, the proposed topic of the diploma thesis or master’s thesis and a brief description of the thesis project in writing before starting to work on the thesis. The topic and the supervisor pursuant to para. 2 are considered accepted if the Studienpräses expressly approved them or did not reject them by way of official notice within one month of receipt. This period is extended by two months if the Studienpräses notifies the student within the initial period that the decision cannot yet be reached, because further investigation is necessary.
(4) As soon as the topic of the master’s thesis or diploma thesis and the supervisor pursuant to para. 2 have been approved or not rejected, the supervisor may propose an employee holding a doctoral degree who should support the supervision (joint supervision) to the leadership team member of the faculty or centre who is responsible for teaching. The approval of joint supervision by the leadership team member of the faculty or centre who is responsible for teaching is admissible if the employee agrees on the joint supervision, the topic of the master’s thesis or diploma thesis coincides with the employee’s academic focus and there is no interference with the employee’s other research and teaching responsibilities. The employee, the student and the supervisor define the framework of their cooperation and revise the progress of the master’s thesis or diploma thesis periodically. The leadership team member of the faculty or centre who is responsible for teaching is entitled to gather information on the progress and revoke the decision on joint supervision for good reasons.
(5) For students who are demonstrably not able to find a supervisor pursuant to para. 2, the following procedure, by way of derogation from para. 3, applies:
1. These students have to approach the Studienpräses with a provisional topic proposal and a brief description of the intended thesis project. Thereby, they can propose a supervisor pursuant to para. 2 or para. 5, sub-para. 2. The Studienpräses has to clarify if a person pursuant to para. 2 is able to supervise the thesis. Internal persons having authorisation to teach for the relevant subject or related subjects have to be heard. If there are doubts about these internal persons, the Studienpräses has to decide who these persons are. If a person pursuant to para. 2 is available, he/she becomes the supervisor.
2. If there is still no person available pursuant to para. 2 after following the procedure pursuant to sub-para. 1, the Studienpräses may ex officio decide on a case-by-case basis and after hearing internal persons having authorisation to teach for the relevant subject or related subjects that
a. an eligible member of the academic university staff holding a doctoral degree or
b. in duly justified cases, eligible external subject experts having authorisation to teach or an equivalent qualification if they or their direct research units are closely related to the University of Vienna
may supervise and grade a diploma thesis or master’s thesis.
(6) After the definition of a supervisor pursuant to para. 5, the supervisor decides on a thesis topic in agreement with the student and the Studienpräses. If an agreement cannot be reached, the supervisor in agreement with the Studienpräses has to propose two topics from which the student may select.
(7) In justified cases, the Studienpräses can demand a joint statement by the supervisor and the student on the work and time schedule that has to be met to finish the thesis. If the supervisor and student fail to create a joint work and time schedule, the Studienpräses has to mediate and reach an agreement on the work and time schedule in a meeting. If an agreement cannot be reached in this case as well, the Studienpräses can dissolve the supervision relationship.
(8) Several students can jointly address a topic, provided that they obtain consent from the Studienpräses and that the performance of individual students can be assessed separately (section 81, para. 3 of the 2002 Universities Act). To provide for individual assessment of the students, an individual part of the thesis has to be written by only one student who has to be mentioned expressly. A note indicating the joint work on the topic and a description of the type of cooperation have to be included. This also applies if the students submit their theses separately.
(9) A change of supervisors by the Studienpräses is permissible for good reasons, acting ex officio, on request by the student or at the suggestion of the supervisor prior to the submission of the diploma thesis or master’s thesis. The Studienpräses has to adhere to para. 2, 3 and 5 mutatis mutandis when changing the supervisor.
(10) Students have to submit their completed diploma thesis or master’s thesis to the Studienpräses for assessment. The Studienpräses has to assign the diploma thesis or master’s thesis to the assessor for assessment, whereas the assessor has to assess the diploma thesis or master’s thesis within two months of submission. For special reasons, especially if the diploma thesis or master’s thesis is not assessed within the stipulated period, the Studienpräses has to assign the diploma thesis or master’s thesis to another assessor pursuant to para. 2 for assessment.
(11) The Studienpräses can delegate his/her tasks, with the exception of para. 6, to the director of studies. The director of studies decides on behalf of the Studienpräses. This delegation may be revoked at any time without giving any reason.
(12) Students are entitled to view the assessment documents on their thesis.
Doctoral Theses
§ 15. (1) Doctoral candidates have to write a doctoral thesis in the course of their doctoral programmes (section 83 of the Universities Act). The relevant curriculum specifies the provisions for the topic of the doctoral thesis. Students enrolled in a doctoral programme can either propose a provisional topic of their doctoral thesis in accordance with university regulations, in particular with this part of the present Statutes, or can choose a topic from several proposals (section 59, para. 1, sub-para. 6 of the Universities Act). Students who intend to write their thesis in a foreign language (section 59, para. 1, sub-para. 7 of the Universities Act) have to obtain consent from their supervisor when selecting a topic and to adhere to the requirements specified in the relevant curriculum.
(2) University professors, habilitated staff members, associated professors as well as assistant professors according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff of the University of Vienna are entitled to, and in accordance with their other university responsibilities are also obliged to supervise and assess doctoral theses. Students are entitled to request the supervision of their doctoral thesis of these university employees. Doctoral candidates have to decide on the topic of their doctoral thesis in agreement with the supervisor. Supervision by more than one person authorised to supervise is admissible.
(3) not applicable
(4) Academic staff members holding a doctoral degree are entitled to supervise doctoral theses that are funded by third-party funds acquired in a competitive procedure with other academics while taking into account international reviews and whose purpose is the establishment of a group of early-stage researchers by academic staff members (promotion of excellence by the European Research Council, START and Wittgenstein prizes, “Junior Group Leader” by the Vienna Science and Technology Fund). The Studienpräses examines whether they meet the prerequisites. Employees referred to in this paragraph can also supervise master’s theses and diploma theses in the course of such research projects.
(4a) Academic staff members of the
1. GMI – Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology,
2. IMBA – Institute of Molecular Biotechnology,
3. CeMM – Research Center for Molecular Medicine or
4. IMP – Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
who are holding a doctoral degree and managing a research group at this institution are entitled to supervise doctoral theses that are fully funded by this institution, including third-party funds. Another prerequisite is that the doctoral thesis project is well embedded at the University of Vienna with regard to quality assurance. The Studienpräses examines whether the prerequisites are met.
(5) The Studienpräses is entitled, after hearing the subject experts pursuant to para. 2, to draw on persons authorised to teach at a recognised post-secondary educational institution in Austria or from abroad pursuant to section 51, para. 2, sub-para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act or at a university-coordinate establishment for the supervision and assessment of a doctoral thesis if their authorisation to teach is equivalent to section 103 of the 2002 Universities Act.
(6) Doctoral candidates who are not able to find a supervisor who is entitled and willing to supervise a doctoral thesis have to approach the Studienpräses with a research proposal pursuant to para. 8. The doctoral candidates’ proposed topic and supervisor are not binding. The approval of the topic and the supervisor has to be expressly granted by the Studienpräses. Approval by means of expiry of the period pursuant to para. 10 is excluded. The Studienpräses has to clarify if the topic can be supervised with regards to content and has to collect and hear internal persons having authorisation to teach for the relevant subject or related subjects. Subsequently, the Studienpräses has to reject the topic by way of official notice or draw on a supervisor. The supervisor decides on the topic of the thesis in agreement with the doctoral candidate and the Studienpräses. If an agreement cannot be reached, the supervisor in agreement with the Studienpräses has to propose two topics from which the doctoral candidate may select.
(7) To advise the Studienpräses, the relevant directorates of studies, the doctoral candidates and the supervisors, doctoral advisory boards that consist of persons authorised to supervise pursuant to para. 2 are established. A doctoral advisory board is responsible for one or several field/s of doctoral research or a larger sub-field of a field of doctoral research in a curriculum. The number of doctoral advisory boards for each curriculum, the number of members of each doctoral advisory board and the field of their activities are determined by the director of studies in agreement with the head of the relevant academic organisational unit. The doctoral advisory board members are appointed by the heads of the relevant academic organisational units after the faculty conference has been heard for the period of a term pursuant to section 20, para. 3 of the Organisation Plan. The doctoral advisory board responsible for the subject field of the doctoral thesis may give a statement on the submitted doctoral thesis project.
(8) Doctoral candidates have to submit their doctoral thesis project to the Studienpräses after achieving agreement with the supervisor or after selecting the topic by the end of the first academic year within the doctoral programme by means of a written research proposal containing the objectives, methods, time and budget schedule and a declaration of consent to the doctoral thesis project by the supervisor, and to present their doctoral thesis project during a public presentation. For the research proposal, the Studienpräses can issue formal specifications that have to be met by the doctoral candidates. The supervisor may become a respondent for the public presentation. In addition, the provisions of section 14, para. 8 apply mutatis mutandis.
(9) The presentation of the doctoral thesis project can be omitted or the public can be excluded from the presentation if there are economic or legal interests (e.g. patent law) of the doctoral candidates or the supervisors of the doctoral thesis projects that are particularly worthy of protection and if the research proposal provides sufficient information for decisions to be made. In this case, it is also admissible that the competent bodies responsible for study matters and the doctoral advisory board responsible for the relevant subject field take part in the presentation. If the intended doctoral project is part of a research project that has already been approved externally in accordance with international standards, the Studienpräses may approve the doctoral project prior to the public presentation and without a statement released by the doctoral advisory board. The Studienpräses decides on the applicability of the exceptions on an individual basis or on relevant general provisions after the directorate of studies has been heard.
(10) Based on the research proposal, the presentation, the related discussion and a possible written statement that has to be submitted to the Studienpräses by the doctoral advisory board responsible for the relevant subject field within two weeks after the presentation or decision pursuant to para. 9, the Studienpräses decides on the approval of the doctoral thesis project. The approval is deemed to be granted if it was expressly given or if no rejection was issued within one month after the presentation or the decision pursuant to para. 9. If the doctoral advisory board releases a statement, the period for making a decision is extended by two weeks for the Studienpräses. The Studienpräses is only allowed to reject a doctoral thesis project based on duly justified statements by the competent director of studies and the doctoral advisory board responsible for the relevant subject field. The Studienpräses has to provide the possibility of viewing the statements and of making comments to the doctoral candidates and the designated supervisors prior to this decision. The requests for comments suspend the period for making a decision. An appeal against the rejection of the doctoral thesis project to the Federal Administrative Court is admissible (section 130, para. 1 of the Federal Constitutional Law).
(11) As soon as the topic of the doctoral thesis and the supervisor have been approved or not rejected, the supervisor may propose an academic employee holding a doctoral degree who should support the supervision (joint supervision) to the leadership team member of the faculty or centre who is responsible for teaching. This is subject to the condition that the employee has acquired third-party funds for the doctoral candidate’s employment for addressing the topic while taking into account international reviews (Austrian Science Fund, European Commission). The employee, the doctoral candidate and the supervisor define the framework of their cooperation and revise the progress of the doctoral thesis periodically. The leadership team member of the faculty or centre who is responsible for teaching is entitled to gather information on the progress and revoke the decision on joint supervision for good reasons.
(12) The approval of the intended doctoral project is a necessary prerequisite for concluding a doctoral thesis agreement that specifies and documents the specific arrangement of the doctoral programme based on the legal framework, especially the section of the Statutes addressing study law and the curricula. The doctoral thesis agreement has to be concluded between the doctoral candidate and the supervisor and requires the approval of the competent body responsible for study matters. If claims are laid to material or monetary means of the organisational unit, the head of the organisational unit has to confirm the means’ availability. The compatibility between the doctoral thesis agreement and the contracts that have been concluded for the establishment of an employment relationship to the University must be observed. The compatibility between the doctoral thesis agreement and the studies within the framework of a structured doctoral programme (e.g. initiative group or doctoral groups of the Austrian Science Fund) must be observed.
(13) The doctoral thesis agreement consists of the following items:
1. the doctoral candidate’s name, student ID number, date of birth;
2. the supervisors’ names;
3. the topic of the doctoral thesis;
4. the curriculum under which the doctoral candidate is studying;
5. the field of doctoral research to which the doctoral thesis pertains;
6. the research proposal on which the approval is based;
7. the time schedule for the intended doctoral project;
8. the proof of the academic achievements required by the curriculum;
9. the key data regarding supervision, especially the frequency of feedback meetings between supervisors and doctoral candidates;
10. Letter of commitment on compliance with good academic practice signed by the doctoral candidate.
(14) The doctoral thesis agreement must be supplemented with periodical, but at least annual, progress reports made by the doctoral candidate in agreement with the supervisor. The unilateral termination and substantial changes of the doctoral thesis agreement are admissible on objective grounds and are subject to approval from the competent body responsible for study matters.
(15) The completed doctoral thesis has to be submitted to the Studienpräses for assessment. The Studienpräses has to assign the doctoral thesis for assessment to at least two assessors pursuant to section 15, para. 2 and 5 of this part of the present Statutes. If the Studienpräses did not delegate the appointment of the assessors in the meaning of section 4 of the “Studienpräses” part of the present Statutes to the directors of studies, he/she has to reach an agreement with the competent director of studies prior to the appointment. The doctoral candidate and the supervisor(s) have the right to propose an assessor. On request of the doctoral candidate, the competent doctoral advisory board can submit proposals. The appointment of a supervisor is admissible in justified cases and has to provide for the assessment by an external person qualified in the respective subject. In any case, every supervisor of a doctoral thesis is entitled to present a statement on the doctoral thesis of which the assessors have to be notified. The assessment has to be made within a maximum period of four months.
(16) If two assessors have been drawn on and one of them assesses the doctoral thesis with a fail, the Studienpräses has to draw on another assessor.
(17) If two or three assessors have been consulted and two of them decide to fail the doctoral thesis, the final result is fail.
(18) In all other cases, the assessment of the doctoral thesis is subject to the grades proposed. Section 13, para. 4, final sentence applies mutatis mutandis.
Submission and Publication Obligation
§ 16. (1) Academic theses have to be submitted electronically to the Studienpräses for assessment. Doctoral candidates have to make an electronic version of the doctoral thesis available to the competent bodies responsible for study matters, the members of the examination committee and the doctoral advisory board prior to the completion of the public defence pursuant to section 9 of this part of the present Statutes.
(2) Academic theses must be supplemented with a summary (abstract) written in German.
(3) In order to promote the development of academic research including its quality assurance, students and graduates have to make an electronic version of the positively assessed academic thesis available to the public through the University, as the case may be, after the expiry of the blocking period pursuant to section 86, para. 2 of the 2002 Universities Act (Note: Due to an amendment to the 2002 Universities Act, this provision is now found in section 86, para. 4 of the Universities Act).
(4) After hearing the Rectorate, the Studienpräses has to determine further provisions on the submission of the electronic and, as the case may be, printed version pursuant to section 86 of the 2002 Universities Act as well as on the publication on a thesis server in the meaning of para. 3 by means of a separate regulation.
(5) The publication of academic theses and all associated steps required by study law may not affect the rights of third parties. This already applies to the topic proposal. The blocking pursuant to section 86, para. 2 of the 2002 Universities Act (Note: Due to an amendment to the 2002 Universities Act, this provision is now found in section 86, para. 4 of the Universities Act) should, if possible, be requested when proposing the topic but at least early enough to ensure that the competent body can verify whether such blocking protects all interests that may be threatened through the publication. Such requests have be to submitted in writing and plausibly demonstrate the relevant interests.
Assuring Good Academic Practice
§ 17. (1) Students have to comply with the rules regarding good academic practice (guidelines of the Rectorate as amended, currently as of 31 January 2006 published in the University Gazette of the University of Vienna, academic year of 2005/2006, 15th edition, no. 112). Its compliance has to be controlled, in particular to prevent plagiarism. Detailed provisions are made by the Studienpräses in agreement with the Rectorate and the Senate.
(2) If a student seriously violates the rules regarding good academic practice when writing an academic thesis prior to its submission, the Studienpräses makes the necessary dispositions to ensure that the student complies with the rules in the future, after consultation with the director of studies and the supervisor. The Studienpräses may arrange a change of topic or specify several proposals for a topic from which the student may select a proposal to continue writing the academic thesis. Where necessary, it is arranged that the student has to write a new thesis addressing another topic in another subject from the relevant degree programme. The supervisor may, at his/her request, be released from his/her duties.
(3) If, after submission in the course of the assessment, it is revealed that an academic thesis seriously violates the rules of good academic practice, the academic thesis is assessed negatively. The provisions of para. 2 in relation to the topic are applied mutatis mutandis. Supervision by the same person again is excluded.
(4) If, after positive assessment, it is revealed that an academic thesis violates the rules of good academic practice (in particular in case of plagiarism), a procedure for annulment of the assessment pursuant to section 74, para. 2 of the 2002 Universities Act (Note: Due to an amendment to the 2002 Universities Act, this provision is now found in section 73, para. 1, sub-para. 2 of the Universities Act) is adopted. If the assessment of an academic thesis is annulled, the award of the academic degree in accordance with section 89 of the 2002 Universities Act is revoked subsequently. In the event that the student wants to resume or continue his/her studies, para. 2 applies accordingly.
Graduation and Academic Degrees
§ 18. (1) A degree programme is completed if all achievements specified in the curriculum have been completed.
(2) On the occasion of the graduation in a bachelor’s programme or master’s programme, each module requires the calculation of a module assessment. This is the arithmetic mean of the assessments within a module weighted according to ECTS credits. The examination results of the degree programme are used for the overall assessment of the examination results according to the same procedure. The module assessments and the overall assessment of all examination results, rounded to two decimal places, are specified in the diploma supplement. If the overall assessment is less than or equal to 1.50 and both the academic thesis and the examination completing a degree programme are assessed with “excellent” or “pass with distinction”, the final grade for the entire degree programme is “pass with distinction”. In the remaining cases, the final degree is “pass”. If the curriculum specifies subject specialisations, their completion is specified in the respective degree certificates.
(3) If, in doctoral programmes, both the academic thesis and the examination completing the degree programme are assessed with “excellent” or “pass with distinction” and if the unweighted arithmetic mean of the assessment of courses required for the degree programme is less than or equal to 1.50, the final grade for the entire degree programme is “pass with distinction”. In the remaining cases, the final degree is “pass”.
(3a) Para. 2 applies mutatis mutandis to (interim) master’s degrees awarded in combined master’s and doctoral programmes. Para. 3 applies mutatis mutandis to doctoral degrees awarded in combined master’s and doctoral programmes.
(4) The degree programmes offered at the University of Vienna are assigned to one of the groups pursuant to section 54, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act. Additions to the abbreviated academic degree that is awarded for a degree programme at the University are specified by the Senate in a guideline on the basis of Austrian-wide coordination.
(5) For teacher education programmes in the form of a diploma programme, the addition to the academic degree conforms to the teaching subject in which the diploma thesis has been written.
Nostrification (Recognition of Foreign Degrees)
Application for nostrification
§ 19. (1) The nostrification applicant has to submit the application for nostrification to the Studienpräses. The application designates the domestic degree programme comparable to the completed foreign degree programme and the desired domestic academic degree. Details are regulated by the Studienpräses by way of regulation.
(2) For documents in a foreign language, the nostrification applicant presents authorised translations. The original document, which should prove the conferment of the academic degree or prove the proper completion of the degree programme if no academic degree was awarded, has to be presented. Academic theses have to be presented in the original together with a ten-page German or English summary.
(3) The Studienpräses is entitled to waive the obligation to present individual documents if it is credibly shown that it is impossible or excessively difficult to provide them within a reasonable period, and that the documents presented are sufficient for a decision.
Investigation procedure
§ 20. (1) The Studienpräses examines the application, taking into account the curriculum at the University of Vienna that was in force at the time when the application was submitted with regard to whether the foreign degree programme was structured in a way that is equivalent to the domestic degree programme mentioned in the application in terms of the outcome of the overall education.
(2) If the qualification is basically equivalent and only certain supplementary qualifications are required for full equivalence, the Studienpräses assigns the applicant with completing supplementary examinations or supplementing or writing an academic thesis within a reasonable period of time. The applicant fulfils these supplements as a non-degree programme student at the University of Vienna.
Exclusion from a Degree Programme or Non-Degree Programme
§ 20a. The Rectorate may, pursuant to section 68, para. 1, sub-para. 8 of the Universities Act, exclude a student from a degree programme or non-degree programme by way of official notice on grounds of an action or actions that are a permanent or serious threat to other university members or third parties within the framework of studies, taking into account the student’s statutory right to be heard and after hearing the competent director of studies.
Leave of absence
§ 21. (1) On request, the Rectorate has to grant students of the University of Vienna a leave of absence for one semester or two semesters due to the following reasons, by way of official notice:
1. Military service or civilian service, or military training service;
2. Disease that makes the student unable to pursue their studies for at least four weeks;
3. Pregnancy;
4. Childcare obligations or other comparable care obligations;
5. Voluntary year of social service;
6. Temporary impairment due to a disability.
(2) On request, the Rectorate may grant students of the University of Vienna a leave of absence for one semester or two semesters per incident due to important reasons, by way of official notice. Important reasons are in particular:
1. Voluntary year of environmental protection, Austrian Holocaust Memorial Service or peace and social service programmes abroad (sections 22 to 27a of the Austrian voluntary service act (Freiwilligengesetz));
2. A significant interference with a student’s studies due to professional activities or training and qualification measures related to this professional activity, lasting for at least four weeks;
3. A significant interference with a student’s studies due to the settlement of issues with authorities abroad, lasting for at least four weeks.
(3) The application for leave of absence can be withdrawn within the application period (section 67, para. 2, sub-para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended).
Agreement on credits to be obtained
§ 21a. The University may offer an agreement on credits to be obtained in the relevant degree programme to students who have completed at least 120 ECTS credits in a diploma or bachelor’s programme but who have not taken any examinations in the preceding academic year (section 59b of the 2002 Universities Act as amended). The Rectorate has to consult the director of studies before offering an agreement on credits to be obtained unless the Rectorate has already delegated the task of offering an agreement on credits to be obtained to the director of studies.
Fees for University Continuing Education and Training Programmes
§ 22. (1) Students attending university continuing education and training programmes pay a programme fee.
(2) Admission to a university continuing education and training programme expires if the specified amount of the programme fee is not paid by the end of the payment period.
Remission and Reimbursement of Tuition Fees
§ 23. (1) In addition to groups of persons mentioned in section 92, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act, the tuition fees remaining to the University of Vienna are remitted for:
1. Disabled persons with a degree of disability of at least 50 % to be proved with a disabled person card issued by the Federal Social Office;
2. Research grant holders (section 94, para. 1, sub-para. 2 of the 2002 Universities Act) as well as academic and general university staff (section 94, para. 2 and 3 of the 2002 Universities Act) of the University of Vienna, provided that they were employed with the University at least 90 days during the previous semester.
2a. Doctoral candidates in the first semester of their doctoral programme at the University of Vienna, if they are employed with the University of Vienna as a predoctoral university assistant or as a predoctoral project employee for at least 90 days during this semester or if the responsible service unit of the University of Vienna confirms that the University of Vienna will offer them such an employment contract subject to the fulfilment of the requirements according to immigration law;
3. Students’ representatives according to the union of students act (Hochschülerinnen- und Hochschülerschaftsgesetz 2014 or HSG) (Federal Legal Gazette I No. 45/2014) are entitled to remission of tuition fees, on request, in accordance with lit. a-d for the duration of exercising their function in the federal representation or the National Union of Students at the University of Vienna, but no longer than for four semesters:
a. Full semesters, in which students held the post as chairperson of the federal representation, the university representation, the faculty’s, centre’s or students’ representatives, as well as as deputy chairperson of the federal representation, the university representation, the faculty’s or centre’s representatives and as members of the Senate, the curriculum committee (section 25, para, 8, sub-para. 3 of the Universities Act) or the committee for the preparation of opinions pursuant to section 25, para. 1, sub-para. 12 of the Universities Act, are fully considered. Full semesters as deputy chairperson of students’ representatives are also fully considered if the students’ representatives consist of at least five mandataries pursuant to section 19, para. 3 of the 2014 union of students act.
b. Full semesters, in which students were active in the federal representation or the university representation as mandataries, officers, persons in charge or as mandataries of the faculty’s, centre’s or students’ representatives, are considered by a half.
c. Full semesters, in which students were members of the faculty, centre or studies conference, are considered by a quarter.
d. A student’s membership of an appointment committee or a habilitation committee or curricular working group are considered by a quarter in the semester of its constitution and independent of the duration of the activity for the relevant committee.
Activities for more than one body pursuant to lit. a-d in one semester are not considered. Remission is subject to full semesters considered. Periods of activities as students’ representative which were already used to extend the period for receiving the federal aid for students (section 31, para. 2 of the 2014 union of students act) are not considered. Before making use of the remission pursuant to sub-para. 3, the statutory reasons for remission of tuition fees or reasons pursuant to sub-para. 1 and sub-para. 2 have to be claimed.
(2) The application for remission may be submitted until the end of the period for re-enrolment on the degree programme (section 62, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended). The function and duration of students’ representatives pursuant to para. 1, sub-para. 3, lit. a and b have to be confirmed by the relevant election committee according to the 2014 union of students act, activities pursuant to para. 1, sub-para. 3, lit. c and d have to be confirmed by the chairperson of the university representation. Members of the academic and general university staff (section 94, para. 2 and para. 3 of the 2002 Universities Act) are not required to submit an application.
(3) The tuition fees remaining to the University of Vienna are reimbursed if a student
1. paid, but a reason for tuition fee remission becomes effective within the period for re-enrolment on the degree programme (section 62, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended);
2. paid, but before the beginning of the semester, his/her admission to all degree programmes and relevant non-degree programmes at all Austrian universities expires;
3. paid, but before the end of the period for re-enrolment on the degree programme (section 62, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended), completes his/her degree programme and his/her admission to all degree programmes and relevant non-degree programmes at all Austrian universities expires;
4. paid, but before the end of the period for re-enrolment on the degree programme (section 62, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended), withdraws from his/her degree programme, his/her admission to all degree programmes and relevant non-degree programmes at all Austrian universities expires and he/she was admitted to the University of Vienna in the previous semester;
5. paid, but before the end of the period for re-enrolment on the degree programme (section 62, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended), withdraws from his/her degree programme, his/her admission to all degree programmes and relevant non-degree programmes at all Austrian universities expires and he/she did not take any examination in the current semester and did not submit an academic thesis for assessment;
6. deceases before the end of the period for re-enrolment on the degree programme (section 62, para. 1 of the 2002 Universities Act as amended).
(4) The difference between the amount that was actually paid, and the requested tuition fees is reimbursed if too much has been paid.
(5) The amount that was actually paid is reimbursed if too little has been paid and, thus, no admission or no re-enrolment could be granted.
Entry into Force of Curricula
§ 24. (1) After approval of the curriculum committee’s resolution from the Senate, curricula (extension curricula) and changes to curricula (extension curricula) are announced in the University Gazette of the University of Vienna.
(2) Curricula enter into force on the subsequent 1 October of the same year following the announcement, provided that the announcement was made before 1 July of the same year. If the announcement was made after 1 July of the same year, it enters into force on 1 October of the next year.
Admission to Master’s Programmes beyond the General Admission Period
§ 25. Admission to master’s programmes may also be granted beyond the general admission period, if:
1. the admission is based on a bachelor’s programme which was completed at the University of Vienna in the current semester,
2. re-enrolment on a degree programme for this semester has already been completed effectively to continue studies,
3. the master’s programme is not subject to special admission procedures or entrance procedures and
4. the curriculum for the master’s programme explicitly states that graduates of the bachelor’s programme in accordance with sub-para. 1 may be admitted to this master’s programme without additional requirements.
Final and Transitional Provisions
§ 26. (1) The provisions of this regulation enter into force on 1 January 2015 unless otherwise specified in the following. With the entry into force of this regulation, the “Study law” part of the Statutes, published on 30 November 2007 in the University Gazette of the University of Vienna, 8th edition, no. 40, amendment published on 5 November 2014 in the University Gazette of the University of Vienna, 4th edition, no. 12, ceases to be effective.
(2) Section 14 and section 15 of this regulation enter into force on 1 March 2015. Section 15 and section 16 of the “Study law” part of the Statutes, published on 30 November 2007 in the University Gazette of the University of Vienna, 8th edition, no. 40, amendment published on 5 November 2014 in the University Gazette of the University of Vienna, 4th edition, no. 12, cease to be effective with the entry into force of section 14 and section 15.
(3) For doctoral programmes comprising 120 ECTS credits (section 124, para. 15 of the Universities Act), the provisions of section 16 as amended by the University Gazette, 2002 Universities Act, 8th edition, no. 40 on 30 November 2007 are applied until their expiry.
(4) Curricula containing combined module examinations pursuant to section 6 of the “Study law” part before this part of the Statutes has been adopted, are adapted to the provisions of the applicable part of the Statutes by 30 June 2016.
(5) Curricula for master’s and doctoral programmes that specify an examination completing the degree programme in the form of a different type of examination than the public defence pursuant to section 9, are adapted to the provisions of the applicable part of the Statutes by 30 June 2016.
(6) Section 23, para. 1, sub-para. 3 enters into force for the first time for the summer semester of 2015. Students’ representatives who held the mentioned functions already before the entry into force of the provision, may claim remission according to these provisions for periods from the winter semester of 2011/2012 onwards.
(7) Sections 14 and 15 as amended in the University Gazette on 31 January 2019 enter into force on the day following its announcement in the University Gazette.
(8) Sections 13a to 13g including headings apply to all courses and examinations as of the winter semester of 2020/2021. The section heading “Special provisions for courses and exams with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic” as well as sections 13b to 13d including the relevant section headings cease to be effective after 30 April 2022. Section 13f as amended in the University Gazette of 1 July 2021, 43rd edition, no. 197 enters into force on 1 May 2022. Section 13a including the relevant section heading ceases to be effective after 28 February 2023.
(9) Sections 7, 8, 10, 12 and 13e as amended in the University Gazette on 1 July 2021, 43rd edition, no. 197 are applicable to courses and examinations as of the winter semester of 2021/2022. Until then, the relevant provisions as amended on the day before the University Gazette on 1 July 2021, 43rd edition, no. 197 entered into force are applied.
(10) Sections 2, 9, 13, 13h, 18, 21, 21a, 23 and 25 as amended in the University Gazette of 31 January 2022, 12th edition, no. 45 are applied as of the academic year of 2022/2023 and as of the admission procedures and admissions to degree programmes for the academic year of 2022/2023. Until then, the relevant provisions as amended on the day before the University Gazette on 31 January 2022, 12th edition, no. 45 entered into force are applied.
(11) Sections 13g and 13i as amended in the University Gazette of 1 March 2022, 18th edition, no. 76 enter into force on 1 May 2022.
As of: 1 March 2023
The only legally binding version is the German version published in the University Gazette.
Table of contents
- Guidelines for the Conferment of Honorary Degrees and Awards
- Electoral Regulations
- Rules of Procedure for Collegial Bodies
- Studienpräses
- Study Law
- Equal Opportunities Working Party
- Graduation Ceremonies for the Conferral of Academic Degrees
- Target Agreements between the Head of the Faculty/Centre and an Academic
- House Rules
- Form and Extent of the Graduates’ Involvement at the University
- Habilitation
- Expiry of the Authorisation to Teach
- Quality Assurance
- Affirmative Action Plan for the Advancement of Women and Gender Equality
- Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities and/or Chronic Illnesses at the University of Vienna
- University of Vienna Ethics Committee
- Honorary Professors
- Recruitment Procedure for Professorships according to Section 99, Para. 4 of the Universities Act for Associated Professors
- Appointment of Professors according to Section 99a of the Universities Act